Monday, March 23, 2009

Anonymous shares some memories of favorite hang outs at South Coast Plaza, before all the trendy stuff went in...

Ok, back in the early 80's i remember couple of old restaurants in South Coast plaza, our old hang-out before all the upscale boutiques came in. One of them was Rendezvous Cafe. I vaguely remember an ice cream spot that sold dipped ice cream bars. Dont think they were Balboa bars, but wondered if anyone recalls? i think they had various dipping choices...mmmm, i could have one now! thanks!

I remember in the 1970s, I used to ride my bicycle there to hang out in the video arcade room. It was located inside the Sears, at the lower level, near the mall entrance. I'd come in with several dollars in quarters, and always left empty-handed.

There was a Del Taco really close to the video arcade room, and I always got a couple of burritos there. Across from that Del Taco was a Woolworths.

In the 1990s, my wife and I would go to the Ghirardelli store inside the mall and buy ice creams. I'd get the banana split, and she always got a sundae.

41 comments:

re: South Coast Plaza, Do you remember Kaplans? They used to sell bagels at SCP. Or how about Carls Jr.? They had that HUGE space where the Rainforest Cafe is now. I even remember Newport Surf and Sport had a store in the mall, no doubt that was a first of it's kind.

Hi!I worked at Oshmann's Sporting Goods in, oh let me think...about 1992/1993. I do remember FAO Schwarz but not the ice cream place. Maybe that was after I moved in mid '93? I do remember a place called Kaplans.When I was attending Costa Mesa High School (1984-1988), the mall was THE place to hang out of course. I was going through some old jewelry the other day and came across an old pin that I got for my 16th birthday (23 years ago!) - I remember the store where my mom purchased it but can't recall the name - I just remember it was on the lower level I think in the wing closest to the old May Co. I remember that there was a Benetton store over on the other side of the carousel, lower level. All trendy fashionistas (such as myself) at my high school had to have something from Benetton.

The foutain was a decorative water fountain that had several sets of colored strings that went from the fountain to the ceiling. There were lights that would shine on the strings and drops of what appeared to be oil would slide down the stings from the ceiling to the fountian. My high school used to hold it's dances in the open area around the fountain.Does anyone remember that there used to be a food court where Rainforest Cafe is today. When SCP first opened there was a bar named Coach's Corner right next to it. The food court had a Pizza Place, a Mexican place and a Burger place. Carl's Jr. relpaced it sometime in the late 1970' or early 1980's. I believe that the hand dipped ice cream might have been at Bob's Lemonade Stand across the street at South Coast Village in the Merchantile Building. I used to cook at the Belgian Waffle Inn in the early 1970's and Bob's was a daily stop of mine for the lemonade and hand dipped ice cream.

I lived in mission viejo from 1977-1984. We visited SCP many times. I remember FAO Schwartz. I think it was in a newer wing of the plaza. I also remember a Lego exhibit displayed in the whole mall and on another occasion, there was a magic show at the mall. I used to frequent Gamesmanship to check out the D&D stuff. That game store used to be located across the street from the mall in a smaller shopping center.

I remember South Coast Plaza way far back when they had the Buffett Restaurant, Wool Worth’s and the soda shop that was inside. Sears and May Company where the biggest stores at the mall and Nordstrom’s did not exist. Sears had a gas station. Even in the 80’s when it had Bierra Poretties.

Thank you for jogging my memory on so many fond memories! Wondering if anyone remembers the name of the Country style restaurant across the street from SCP. Hasn't been there for many years now but I used to go there in the 80's.

I worked at May Company for a few years in the early 70's and my wife (former) worked at Woolworth's. Kaplan's Deli was just outside The second level of May Company on the left side as you were going towards Sears. I ate many lunches there. They had some candy bars called Halvah by the register on the way out but I never took the opportunity to try one.

The country style restaurant I am thinking of was called Hams. Their breakfasts were wonderful. Does anyone remember Skinny Haven? Or in the mall Salmagundi? The good old days...I guessthese are the good old days,too!

Thank you for helping me remember the name of Hams. Yes, the breakfasts were delicious! I do remember Skinny Haven. That is so funny because I was just thinking of that place not long ago. And good old Salmagundi! It's fun to think about those times, but you are right, these are the good old days too!

Can't help feel nostalgic about all those old spots. There used to be a Swensen's Ice Cream shop over there by Skinny Haven. And don't get me started on SCP Village! I really miss Upstart Crow cafe/bookstore.I definitely remember the fountain outside May Company. I got my head caught in the 2nd-floor railing there as a child because I was so fascinated by it.I used to go to the Sears arcade too.Remember the 20th Century restaurant? The one inside the train? It was located not too far from FAO Shwartz as one heads towards the Nordstrom wing. I also miss the OLD Banana Replublic, the one with the tropical/travel theme and music.OK, I could ramble on and on about all the changes that have gone on there over the past decades. Just wish we could power up that old time machine and go back to those places once more...

Oh my goodness! I got my head stuck in the railing also. I yanked my head out and my ears were swollen forever. I was scared because my sister had done the same thing before me (I guess I didn't learn) and the fire dept had to come rescue her.I LOVED that fountain. It was definitely mesmerizing to a child.

I remember a kid in my High School, Saddleback would go to the mall early and steal the coinsfrom the May Co. oil fountain. I remember how coolI thought the fountain was back in 1968. In 1973 some High School kids worked at the mallas janitors and made $3 per hour. I could not believe that they were making so much money. I applied but did not get hired.

I worked at the Harvest House buffet upstairs next door to Sears in 1973. It was red and black decor. I remember the candy counter in Sears and loved the Good Earth Restaurant at South Coast Village across the street. Do you remember the health food store and the Carousel...I think it cost a dime to ride it.

Great to hear that other people have the same memories of SCP and SCV. Kaplans was awesome how about Lindberg Nutrition, had the best smoothies. I remember a kid getting his head stuck on second floor railing next to Harvest House Buffet outside of sears. Spent many a friday night with Dad at Coaches Corner and the mexican place was awesome. All long before Carls and Del Taco. Hams was great for Chili and Cornbread and of course Ice Cream. Anyone remember the White Front across the freeway? How about Monkey Wards? amazing that there is not a trace now since Hotel is there. Good times.

Anyone remember The Terrace Room Restaurant in May Co in South Coast Plaza the 60`s-70`s? It was on the third floor. My mom was a waitress there and I ate there often. They served some great food.I remember the fountain too.

Now I remember the oil fountain, thanks for jogging that almost lost memory. I loved Salmagundi also, especially their green goddess salad dressing. Then I'd stroll across to see the exotic toys at Toys International, then upstairs to check out cool books at Rizzoli and another huge book place on the second floor whose name I cannot remember. I spent countless hours in there.

There was once a Marimekko (Finnish textiles) store upstairs in that same general area which friends from LA would come down to shop at since we had one and LA did not!

South Coast Village was also great, I remember Gamesmanship and the kite store, Go Fly a Kite with some of the most amazing kites ever, including one which was shaped like a woman, almost life sized, with rainbow fabric wings. I think a lot of these places were either gone or on their way out by the early '80s.

I worked at Kaplan's in SCP for 2 1/2 years. I was 20 when I started, and management did not know that I was under 21 when they hired me. It was a little over 2 months before I turned 21. I remember when the head waitress, Margie, learned I was only 20, she said, "Don't tell anyone." From 1974 to 1976. When was it closed? Does anybody know whatever happened to Mr. Kaplan? I had a lot of fun in those days.

I worked at Kaplan's from 1974-1976. I actually worked there for 2 1/2 years. I started when I was 20. I was suppose to be 21, but my head waitress, Margie,failed to ask me how old I was. When she learned I wasn't going to be twenty-one for 2 more months, she simply said, "Don't tell anyone?" Does anybody know what happened to Mr. Kaplan, and why the restaurant closed down? I left California years ago, and I was wondering about that.

Lots of good memories of places no longer, but perhaps the best memories are of the Sears arcade 82-84. Nearly every quarter I made was spent there and what was left was to eat at Del Taco or Carl's Jr. just outside. Does anyone remember the original Banana Republic when they used to be more like Indiana Jones outfitters? Good stuff. Thank for the memories. -CMHS '86

The place near the Carousel that sold corn dogs, hamburgers, etc, was the Rendezvous Cafe. I met Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie) and Adam Rich from Eight is Enough while working there, I worked there in 1980-1981. I also worked at the Woolworth's upstairs.

In the 70's the place to shop was SCP..I remember the candy shop in Sears..Woolworth's and the health food store..it was all done in pink...lol..we always had to ride the carousel..and the oil fountain..almost forgot about that one..later when I got married we e=went to the 20th century restaurant with the rail car motiff quite a bit...there are a lot of great memories for me at that mall...

My Grandmother and Mother would take us to Kaplan's and I was always mesmerized by the oil fountain just in front. Other favorites over the years were the 20th Century Limited Dining Car Restaurant, Hams and 40 Carrots restaurant. I. Magnin and J. Magnin both had stores there, as well. Many happy memories!

They us to have a guy sitting on a jeep at Banana Republic, he would would sit still and not move, we would stare at him. I remember the arcade and halloween shop in Sears. My cousin worked at the Carls Jr, my sister worked at Kaplan's, and I worked at ThomMcAn shoes. I think McDonalds use to be next door. I remember Woolworth's also! I use to shop for clothes at Millers Outpost.

I believe it was called Cafe Pasquini? The one I'm thinking of was on the second floor close to the exit of what was then Bullocks. You could eat inside in a sort of "mall patio" and then it stretched sideways down, outside the actual mall and you had a view of shoppers coming and going.

Right before the start of 7th grade in 1977, I got my hair cut at the Vidal Sassoon Salon at SCP. I got the classic Vidal Sassoon haircut too! When I turned my head side to side, my hair would swoosh back and forth! :)